Articles of furniture and supports therefor



June 7, 1960 E. SAARINEN ARTICLES 0F FURNITURE AND SUPPORTS THEREFOR Filed March 27, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. [5R0 5AAk/NEN ATTdK/V E Y June 7, 1960. E. SAARINEN ARTICLES OF FURNITURE AND SUPPORTS THEREFOR Filed March 27, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i.E|. TH /7,

ATmm/EV r 2,939,511, ARTICLES or FURNITURE AND SUPPORTS THEREFOR I EeroSaarinen, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

Filed Mar. 27, 1951, Ser. No. 648,804

6 Claims. (Cl. 155-134 This invention relates to articles of furniture and supporting structurestherefor. It is illustrated herein as applied to chair structures and certain features of the invention are of particular utility in connection with chairs as distinguished from other articles of furniture. Certain other features of the' invention are of more general utility, and may b'e'employed to advantage-in connection with other articles of furniture, for example,

tables.

There are shown anddescribed in my copending design patent applications,- Serial Numbers D. 45,050, and D. 45,041, filed March 1,1957, now Patents Nos. D. 181,945 and D. 181,946, issued January 21, 1958, respectively, each entitled Chair or the Like, two chairs which are designed with a viewto simplifying and smoothing the chair outline asfar as possible. To that end, those-chairs'are supported ona base which comprises a single central pedestal including. a columnwhich flares smoothly at its lower end into a foot which engages the floor, and at its-upper end into. the seat of the chair. The design is such that the profile of the chair is a single smooth continuous curve from the top of theback to the floor. There are no angles to break the sweep ofan observerseye along the chair; The resultis avery restful. and pleasing efiect.

The chairsw shown in my above-mentioned. design patent applications are quite difiEerent in contour from conventional chairs, and. conventional supporting and frame structures are:not readily applicable to chairs having such simple external contours. In particular, there is a unity of form of the seat and the support structure which is quite foreign to conventional chairs.

An object of the presentinvention is to provide a mechanical structure for supporting a chair. or other article of furniture whose externalcontour is extremely simple.

Another object is to provide animprovedchair structure of the type described.

A further object is to provide improved chair and support structures which are easy to manufacture, and which are strong and durablehen in use.

Another object is to provide a chair structure adaptable to a design having unity of form between the seat and the underlying support.

Another object is to provide a chair of the type described which may be constructed with great economy ofmaterial, as compared to conventional chairs.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the/following description and claims taken together with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a 'vertical sectional view, with certain parts broken away, illustrating a chair constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the chair of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a similar chair provided with arms;

Figs. 4 and 5, are fragmentary sectional views similar to Fig. 1, showing modified forms of pedestal structures; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showin-g a swivel base structure.

nited States Patent 2,939,517 li'aterntecl June 7, 1960 FIGURE'l.

There is shown inthis figure a chair constructed in accordance-with the present invention and comprising a unitary seat and back shell 1 supported on a single central pedestal or columngenerally indicated by the referencenumeral 2. The column2 comprises a base portion 2a flaring downwardly and outwardly from a central vertical axis, a top portion 2b flaring upwardly and outwardly away from the central axis and a neck portion. 20 connecting the outwardly flaring base and top portions. The entire. column is hollow, except for a small part of the neck portion. In fact, the column 2 may be regardedas a hollow cylinder which has been deformed atits ends by flaring. Since all the load on the chair is.t o be borne by thissingle cylinder, it is highly desirable that any such load or stress applied to the top of the cylinder. be distributed substantially equally aboutthe cylinder walls. Such equaldistribution of stress is'best attainedby making the column 2 circularly annular in cross-section. It is possible to-obtain a-fairly good stress distribution ina column structure which is polygonal in cross-section rather than circular. However, the best distribution of stressis obtained in the circular cross-section structure, where there are no angles to serve as points of stress concentration.

It is greatly preferredto have the cross-sectional profiles of the base, top and neck portions of the column, taken many vertical plane containing the vertical axis, join one another along a single, smooth, continuous curve, as

illustrated .in Fig. 1.. Wherrthe column is so constructed, the loads on the chair are transmitted from higher to lower localities in the column as compressive stresses, without the developmentof substantial shear or vertically directed tensilestresses at any locality. Practically the only tensile stress present in the structure is a' horizontally directed peripheral stress tending to spread the column.

It is intended that the column 2may be manufactured either from metal or'fromplastic or other moldable material.

It is well-known that, for a structure under compressive stress, a hollow cylinder having its axis. extending in the direction of the stress provides the greatest strength for a given weight of material. The principal structures employed in the present invention, i.e., the column 2 and shell 1, approximate cylinders as nearly as is practically possible; Consequently, the material is very efficiently used, and for any given material, the total weight of the chair is kept at a'minimum. I

The column 2 is-provided at its upper end with a flat horizontal surface 2d, whose outer periphery joins a downwardly extending conical surface 2e, which intersects the outer surface of-thetop portion 2b substantially at right angles. The' seat' shell 1 integrally includes a cap for'the column 2 comprising acentral portion In of circular contour having a horizontalplane undersurface adapted .to abut the end surface 2d of the column 2.

The periphery of the surface 1a is encircled by a downwardly extending rim havingan inwardly facing conical surface. 1b. The conical surfaces 1b and 2e cooperate to center and guide the plane portion 1a of the shell 1 on'the top of the column 2. .Inside the shell 1 there is provided an upwardly convex spring washer 3 concentric with the horizontal plane portion of the shell 1, and having a peripheral, upwardly flaring flange 3a.

A through bolt 4 extends through an aperture 2 molded in the throat of the neck portion 2c and upwardly through an aperture in the plane portion 1a of the shell 1 and another aperture in a recess at the center of washer 3. A flanged nut 5 is inserted-through that aperture and threadedly engages the upper end of the bolt 4. The

gages the upper surface of the washer 3, and is attached thereto, as by welding or soldering. A washer 15 of compressible material is located between the bottom surface of the shell 1 and the upper end surface of the column 12. Tightening of the bolt 4 into the nut firmly fastens the shell 1 to the top of the column 2. The spring washer 3 maintains the bolt 4 tight, thereby holding the parts firmly together without any play.

The spring washer 3 has an apertured central portion adapted to receive the flanged nut 5, a peripheral portion of substantially the same diameter has the end surface 2d, and a radially convex annular web portion connecting the central portion and the peripheral portion. The web portion is of yieldable material, so that when the nut 5 is tightened on the bolt 4, the web portion is stressed, and

forces the peripheral portion against the upper surface of the shell 1, thereby yieldably forcing the shell into engagement with the end surface 2d of the column 2.

The shell 1 comprises a lower seat portion and a back portion 1d. Upwardly and outwardly flaring sides 12 connect the seat portionand back portion. The several portions join each other in smooth, continuous curves. The upper end of the back portion is provided with a backwardly and downwardly turned lip 1 which may serve as a convenient handle for lifting the chair by placing the tips of the fingers under the lip.

The seat portion 10 of the shell 1 flares upwardly and outwardly from the rim 1b, in a curve which is, in efiect, a continuation of the smoothly curved profile of the column 2. Consequently, when the shell 1 and the column 2 are assembled, there results a unity of design which gives a feeling that the two parts belong together and are, in fact, parts of a unitary whole. The effect is quite different from the usual interruption of the linesof the design at the junction of the seat and the base. 7

The same principles may be applied, within the broader scope of the invention, to other articles of furniture, e.g., tables.

All the edges of the shell 1 are rolled or even flared. This provides greater comfort, since a user of the chair is less likely to bump against a sharp corner. It also contributes to the feeling of smoothness and unity of the design, since the edges of the shell are thereby softened and to some extent concealed. Furthermore, the edges of the shell are structurally strengthened by the roll which becomes in effect an edge beam.

A cushion 7 is supported on the seat portion and is retained within the sides 1e and the back 1d. The under side of the cushion is provided with a circular flap or pocket 8 having its outer periphery sewed to the under side of the cushion. The inner periphery of the flap 8 is folded back to provide a hem 8a. Within the hem 8a there is received a drawstring 9, whose ends extend out through a suitable opening at the front of the hem 8a and are knotted as shown at 10 in Fig. 1. The hem 8 is adapted to be received under the flaring flange 3a on the spring washer 3. When the hem is inserted under flange 3a and the drawstring is tightened, the cushion 7 is firmly held in place on the chair.

It is presently preferred to assemble the cushion 7 with the chair in the following manner. The washer 3, with the nut 5 attached to it, is first assembled with the cushion by inserting the flange 3a in the pocket and tying the drawstring. The cushion and washer assembly is then placed in position in the shell 1. The column 2 is then brought into position against the bottom of the shell 1, and the bolt 4 is inserted through the column and threaded into the nut 5. a r

In many cases, the flange 3a, the flap of pocket 8, and the drawstring 9 may be omitted, the cushion then simply resting in conventional fashion on the shell 1.

. Although the support forthe under side of the cushion is somewhat uneven, the cushion may readily be mad thick enough and stiff enough to mask any unevenness, so that it is not felt by a person sitting in the chair.

FIGURE 3 The chair of this figure differs from the chair in Fig. 2 by the provision of relatively high arms 10 having flanges 10a which provide arm rests. The arms 10 are in effect upward extensions of the sides 1e and forward extensions of the back 1a in the chair of Figs. 1 and 2.

FIGURE 4 This figure illustrates amodified form of column structure which may be used in place of the column 2 of Fig. 1. There is shown in this figure a column 16 including a base portion 16a, a top portion 16b and a connecting neck portion 16c. A stud 17 is molded or otherwise firmly anchored in the throat of the neck near the upper end thereof. A bolt 18 extends through an aperture in the flat portion 1a of the chair shell and has its lower end threaded in the stud 17. The flat washer 19 is held under the head of the bolt. Alternatively, a spring washer such as the washer 3 of Fig. 1 may be used. A washer 20 of compressible material is received between the upper end of the column 16 and the chair shell 1.

FIGURE 5 1 of the through bolt 25 and the panel 26. The panel 26 is provided in the center of its upper surface with an upwardly projecting boss 26a, which is received within a sleeve 230 formed on the lower end of the neck portion 23a. The base 22 is provided on the upper side of the periphery of the panel 26 with an upwardly projecting rim 26b, received within a cooperating recess 23d formed on the lower end of the neck portion 23. Radially outward from the rim 26b, the base 22 is provided with a recess 26c to receive the lower periphery of the upper section 23.

It may be seen that the base 22 and the upper section 23 are guided and restrained with respect to each other at three different localities, namely at the boss 26a, and the collar 23a, at the rim 26b and the recess 23d, and at the recess 260 which receives the lower periphery of the upper section 23.

The chair shell 1 is held on the neck 21 by a through bolt 18 similar to that used in the structure of Fig. 6. Alternatively, the bolts 18 and 25 might be replaced by a single long bolt, with or without anchorage at the throat of the column by means of the stud 24.

FIGURE 6 This figure shows 'a swivel base arrangement for a chair ofthe type described. In this swivel base, there is provided a central column 28 whose upper end flares outwardly. The column 28 is provided along its vertical axis with a tubular cup 29 molded or otherwise firmly fastened in the base. The cup 29 receives the lower end of a post 30 provided at its upper end with a flange 31. The flange 31 is fastened bymeans of bolts 32 to the plane portion 1a of the chair shell 1. Substantial clearance is provided between the post 30 and the cup 29. A single ball bearing 33 rides between the bottom of the post 30 and the upper surface of the bottom of the cup 29. The bottom of the post 30 may be recessed, as shown, to receive the ball 3. The post- 30 is provided near its lower end with aiperipheral groove 30a to receive a set screw 34 threaded through the column 28 and the cup 29 and having its inner end entering the groove 30a to prevent'withdrawal of the post 30 from the cup 29. A washer 35 of suitable antifriction material is placed between the upper end of the column 28 and the chair shell 1.

In all the modifications of the invention disclosed herein, the tightening of the bolt and nut which hold the seat and back shell on the top of the column introduces an initial stress into the shell and the column, which stress is effectively distributed throughout the periphery of the shell and column. The shell and column are thereby held together firmly, against any tendency for local looseness or play.

While I have shown and described certain preferred embodiments of my invention, other modifications thereof will readily occur to those skilled in the art, and I therefore intend my invention to be limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A support for the body of a person, comprising a seat and a single central column for supporting said seat, said column having a-hollow top portion including a wall flaring upwardly and outwardly away from a central vertical axis and terminating at its upper end in a horizontal plane surface centered on the axis and spaced therefrom by a substantial radius; said seat comprising an integral hollow shell having a central portion with a horizontal plane under surface abutting the upper end plane surface of said wall, a lower seat portion joined integrally to the central portion outside said plane under surface and extending outwardly and sloping gently upwar-dly therefrom about the entire periphery thereof,

and side wall portions extending generally vertically from the sides and back of the lower seat portion and a cushion supported by said central and lower seat portions and retained against lateral movement by the side wall portions; and means holding the shell on the column.

2. A support for the body of a person, as defined in claim 1, in which the means holding said shell on said column comprises a bolt extending vertically along said axis and having a lower portion attached to said column and an upper portion extending through an aperture on said shell, a washer on the bolt above the shell having a central portion apertured to receive the bolt, a peripheral portion engaging the upper side of the central bottom portion of the shell and having substantially the same diameter as and being aligned with the abutting plane surfaces of the shell and column, and a radially convex annular web portion yieldably connecting the central portion and the peripheral portion, and a nut on the bolt clamping the washer, shell and column together, said nut and bolt being efiective when the nut is tightened to stress the web portion of the washer and thereby to force said peripheral portion yieldably into engagement with the shell and the abutting surfaces of the shell and column yieldably into engagement with each other.

3. A support for the body of "a person, as defined in claim 1, in which said means holding the shell on the column comprises a bolt extending vertically along the axis of the column and having a lower portion attached to the column and an upper portion extending through an aperture on the shell, a washer on the bolt above the shell, said washer having an upwardly oifset peripheral flange, and a cushion supported by the shell and having on its under side a pocketshaped to receive said flange, and a drawstring for closing said pocket and fastening the cushion in place on the shell.

4. A support as defined in claim 1, in which said means holding said cap on said column comprises a bolt extending vertically along said axis and having a lower portion attached to said column and an upper portion extending through an aperture on said cap, a washer on the bolt above the cap having a central portion apertured to receive the bolt, a peripheral portion having substantially the same diameter as and being aligned with said abutting plane surfaces, and a radially convex annular web portion yieldably connecting the central portion and the peripheral portion and a nut on the bolt clamping the washer, cap and column together, said nut and bolt being effective when tightened to stress said web portion of the washer and thereby to force said peripheral portion yieldably into engagement with the cap and the abutting surfaces of the cap and column yieldably into engagement with each other.

5. A support for the body of a person, comprising a seat and a single central column for supporting said seat, said column having a hollow top portion including a wall flaring upwardly and outwardly away from a central vertical axis and terminating at its upper end in a horizontal plane surface centered on the axis and spaced therefrom by a substantial radius, said seat comprising an integral hollow shell having a central portion with a horizontal plane under surface abutting the upper end plane surface of said well, a lower seat portion joined integrally to the central portion outside said plane under surface and extending outwardly and sloping gently upwardly therefrom about the entire periphery thereof, and side wall portions extending generally vertically from the sides and back of the lower seat portion and a cushion supported by said central and lower seat portions and retained against lateral movement by the side wall portions, and means holding the shell on the column, said holding means comprising a bolt extending vertically along the column axis and having a lower portion attached to the column, and an upper portion extending through an aperture in the central portion of the shell, and means above the shell engaging the upper portion of the bolt and holding the bolt, shell and column in assembled relation, said cushion being resilient and efiective to cover said bolt and said bolt engaging means and to provide a comfortable seating surface regardless of the irregularities in the cushion supporting structures occasioned by the presence of the bolt and bolt engaging means.

6. A support for the body of a person, comprising a seat and a single central column supporting said seat, said column being hollow at least at its upper end, said upper end terminating in a wall having a substantial radius; said seat comprising an integral hollow shell having a central portion with a horizontal plane under surface abutting the upper end wall of the column, a lower seat portion joined integrally to the central portion at the periphery of said plane under surface and extending outwardly and sloping gently upwardly therefrom about the entire periphery thereof, and side wall portions extending more steeply upwardly from the sides and back of the lower seat portion and joined integrally thereto, and a cushion supported by said central and lower seat portions and retained against horizontal move-,

ment by the central side wall portions; and means holding the shell on the column.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 142,800 Watson Nov. 6, 1945 D. 158,509 Saarinen May 9, 1950 5,317 Mott Oct. 2, 1847 99,222 Mott Ian. 25, 1870 165,717 Doremus July 20, 1875 1,131,730 OConnor Mar. 16, 1915 1,219,790 Taylor Mar. 20, 1917 1,644,683 Leipcrt Oct. 11, 1927 2,265,841 Jankowski Dec. 9,1941 2,361,370 Grunwald Oct. 31, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS 103,940 Great Britain Feb. 15, 1917 OTHER REFERENCES Kochs Barber Shop and Beauty Shop Fixtures, Catalog No. 40, published May 4, 1929, page 14.

Germany (application) V8198X/34g, June 14, 1956. 

